Super Eagles: Lookman & 2 others who should be dropped against Guinea-Bissau

The Super Eagles secured three points against Madagascar, but Éric Chelle has enough reason to make changes to his starting XI when Nigeria face Guinea-Bissau in their second 2027 AFCON qualifier, Afrik-Foot reports.

Nigeria came from behind to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday, with George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scoring on their international debuts after Ehsan Kari had put the visitors ahead.

The result was important, but the performance exposed several areas that Chelle will need to improve before Tuesday’s meeting with Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria struggled to consistently break down Madagascar’s compact defence, while some of their more established attackers failed to impose themselves on the game.

In contrast, the two debutants who came off the bench produced the decisive moments. That should give Chelle plenty to consider when he selects his XI for Bissau.

3 Super Eagles who should be dropped against Guinea-Bissau

1. Ademola Lookman

Lookman is arguably the biggest name on this list, but that is why his performance against Madagascar deserves scrutiny.

With Victor Osimhen unavailable, Nigeria needed their other established attacking players to assume greater responsibility.

Lookman had moments, but he never became the decisive presence Nigeria needed.

The Atlético Madrid forward saw a shot blocked in the first half and was involved in some promising movements, but Madagascar largely prevented him from getting into the dangerous areas where he could hurt them. Additionally, his set-piece deliveries were subpar.

He was eventually replaced by Tolu Arokodare in the 69th minute.

Afrik-Foot’s post-match assessment reflected that frustration, rating Lookman 6.5/10 and noting that he struggled to consistently break through Madagascar’s organised defence.

The question for Chelle is now whether he should automatically restore Lookman to the XI simply because of his reputation. Usor’s introduction has changed that conversation.

The LASK winger brought pace and directness to the attack, before producing the individual brilliance that gave Nigeria the lead.

Starting Usor against Guinea-Bissau would allow Chelle to reward the player who had the biggest impact from the bench.

Lookman remains too talented to be discarded completely, but there is a strong argument for making him a second-half weapon, particularly if Guinea-Bissau begin to tire.

2. Akor Adams

Adams was given the responsibility of leading Nigeria’s attack in Osimhen’s absence, but he struggled to make a sustained impact.

The forward’s most significant moment came in the first half when he was penalised for a foul on Madagascar goalkeeper Geordan Dupire, leading to Alex Iwobi’s apparent goal being ruled out.

Apart from that, Adams offered little in front of goal. He was replaced by Moses Simon in the 61st minute, with Ilenikhena looking like Nigeria’s most effective attacking outlet.

Afrik-Foot rated Adams 6/10, describing his influence as limited despite the physical presence he offered up front.

That creates a straightforward selection dilemma for Chelle. Does he stick with Adams because he started the opening game, or does he reward Ilenikhena after the Al-Ittihad forward demonstrated that he can operate effectively at senior international level?

Ilenikhena did more than score. His movement gave Madagascar’s centre-backs another problem, and his equaliser was Nigeria’s clearest example of a properly constructed attacking move, with Alex Iwobi finding him inside the area before he calmly finished.

There is still a long way to go before Ilenikhena can be considered Nigeria’s established first-choice striker, but after that performance, keeping him on the bench would also send a strange message about rewarding performance.

3. Samuel Chukwueze

Chukwueze’s case is perhaps the most difficult of the three because he was not completely ineffective.

The winger provided some of Nigeria’s early attacking spark, including the cross that found Ilenikhena for a first-half header and several moments where he attempted to take on Madagascar’s defenders, but the problem was consistency.

His spark did not translate into enough danger in the final third, and Madagascar’s compact defensive structure limited the spaces available for him to exploit.

Afrik-Foot rated him 6/10, noting that he showed flashes of his ability but struggled to consistently influence the game.

Chelle eventually replaced him with Usor in the 61st minute. Four minutes later, Usor produced the moment that decided the match.

That sequence alone gives Chelle a reason to consider making the change permanent for the Guinea-Bissau game.

Usor offers something slightly different. He is direct, aggressive when carrying the ball and willing to attack defenders rather than waiting for the game to open up.

That could be useful against a Guinea-Bissau side Nigeria may struggle to break down.

Chukwueze could still have an important role from the bench, especially if Nigeria need a player capable of stretching tired defenders, but after Usor’s impact against Madagascar, the younger winger has earned consideration for a starting role.

Chelle has a selection decision to make

Nigeria’s victory over Madagascar means Chelle does not have to make wholesale changes, but he should not allow the result to hide the fact that some of his established attackers were outperformed by players making their senior competitive debuts.

Ilenikhena scored the equaliser, and Usor scored the winner. Both gave Nigeria qualities that were missing at different stages of the game.

That creates competition for places ahead of Guinea-Bissau. Lookman, Adams and Chukwueze have the experience and quality to start for Nigeria, but international football is also about taking opportunities when they arrive.

Chelle now has an opportunity to reward what happened on the pitch. The Guinea-Bissau game could see three changes to Nigeria’s attacking line-up, with Ilenikhena and Usor among those pushing hardest for a starting berth.

After all, the best way to build on a winning start is not necessarily to repeat the same XI. Sometimes, it is to identify what worked and give it more responsibility.